Are Pandas Dangerous to Humans And Other Animals?

Pandas are animals with gentle and lovely appearances. They are even considered the “heritage” of China.

This animal is widespread in Sichuan province and inhabits Gansu and Shaanxi. Adults can be two to three feet tall, and wild males can weigh up to 280 pounds, significantly more than females.

With such a large size, are pandas dangerous?

So keep reading to get the answer!

Are Pandas Dangerous?

Pandas can hurt you despite their gentle appearance, even if that’s not their nature.

The leading food of this animal is bamboo. It eats both leaves and shoots, which require a lot of force to chew.

Although the panda eats mainly plants, they can also eat meat. This animal possesses stronger teeth than a species that only eat plants.

Their hands are also so big and strong. So you won’t want to fight against them!

An adult individual usually weighs about 280 lbs in males and 231 lbs in females.

An adult panda weighs more than an adult human. It’s also the most evident proof of their extraordinary power.

Therefore, do not let the gentle and lazy appearance fool you. So absolutely do not get close to a panda when you go sightseeing at the zoo. Otherwise, you may be seriously injured.

Generally, the panda does not often attack humans. Yet, once they attack, the attacks are usually very aggressive.

Are Baby Pandas Dangerous?

Generally, baby pandas are not as dangerous as adult ones. Newly born individuals are small, making them not a significant threat.

But they will grow over time, and their danger also increases.

Always remember that the panda belongs to wild animals. Despite these animals’ cute and charming appearance, they will always remain a threat to humans when approached.

Even if these animals are newborns, small in size, they are still unfriendly wildlife.

As a wild animal, this species possesses features that a wild animal normally has, including protecting itself and those around it when it feels threatened.

Seeing a baby panda in the wild is not uncommon in China. If so, you shouldn’t go near it.

Even if the babies can’t attack you, their parents may be nearby. They will attack you as they think you are threatening their child.

Why Are Pandas Dangerous?

They possess the characteristics of wild animals.

This animal is considered dangerous for many good reasons, and here are four of the most common.

They Are a Member of the Bear Family

Like any other wild bear that never be good pets, pandas also have wild instincts, and one of their primary wild instincts is survival.

As a result, when these animals feel you are a threat to them, they will defend themselves as a natural response.

Even if you are not a threat to this species, they can still bite you, like any other wild bear, and you will be unpredictable.

They Feature Carnivorous Animals’ Characteristics

Pandas are primarily herbivores, but wild individuals can eat meat if they have nothing else to eat.

They will spend most of their life consuming the leaves or shoots of the bamboo plant. So it’s not hard to find videos of clumsy pandas eating bamboo shoots on YouTube.

Pandas are often clumsy but can become agile when needed and use their natural strength to attack you.

You wouldn’t want to be attacked by an adult male panda weighing 280 lbs.

They Feature Powerful Bite Force

Adults can use their canine teeth to generate a bite force as strong as 2603 newtons. Meanwhile, humans can tear a piece of meat with their teeth with a bite force of about 890 Newtons.

This bite force is strong enough to rip a piece of goat meat as easily as a piece of paper.

In addition, their back teeth are about seven times the size of human teeth.

They Possess Sharp Claws

The pandas feature six fingers on wide paws, primarily for grasping, climbing, and food.

The paws of these animals come with claws that are sharp enough to pierce your flesh without any difficulty.

You’re wrong if you suspect that they don’t use these sharp claws as weapons when needed.

Related: Animals With Claws (15 Species With Amazing Claws)

Do Pandas Attack Humans?

They will attack humans when they feel threatened.

These animals very rarely attack humans. Yet, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

So far, cases of these cute animals attacking humans are rare. However, there are still unfortunate cases happening.

For example, there have been cases of pandas attacking people in the Botanical Garden.

There have been three separate cases of panda attacks on people in Beijing for three consecutive years.

One case happened when a man intentionally jumped into the panda area, and the other two happened when someone accidentally fell inside.

As we all know, a panda can produce a powerful bite, even one of the strongest bite forces for a carnivore.

As a result, it is not surprising that the victims of these attacks have almost had their arms or legs bitten off.

All three cases of accidents above are no exception, and all three victims were seriously injured. After that, doctors had to make great efforts to save the limbs of these three victims.

Pandas are always considered gentle, cute, and benign animals. The fact is that they are rarely aggressive.

Pandas are still wild animals despite their cute, clumsy, and adorable looks. Thus, you should stay away from them.

When you visit a zoo, we warn against going inside this animal’s cage as they may attack you out of fear or annoyance.

The number of times these animals attack humans is rare but still exists.

Cuddling with pandas is only for professionals who are with them for life. For those not trained to handle this species, like you, it’s best to stay away from them.

Are Pandas An Endangered Species?

This animal is in danger of extinction.

Humans have continuously destroyed the ideal habitats of this animal for farming, construction, and other developmental activities.

As a result, the panda is now an endangered species and needs protection.

The good news is that the Chinese government recently declared that this species is no longer threatened in the wild.

After years of conservation efforts, the panda population has nearly 2000 individuals now.

By expanding the natural habitat for the panda, governments have created favorable conditions for this animal to live and develop better.

Are Pandas Territorial Animals?

This animal is prevalent in the hilly areas of Sichuan and the bamboo forests of the Qinling Mountains.

They are solitaries and. Each adult has a specified area. They are ready to attack any individual that invades their territory.

Is This Animal Friendly?

They are not as friendly as they appear.

If you’ve seen the Kung Fu Panda movies, you’ll think this species is very friendly. Yet, the truth may disappoint you.

In the wild, they are one of the solitary species.

The life span of the panda can last up to 30 years. During a panda’s lifetime, it only accompanies other pandas during the mating season, which lasts for a few days and occurs once a year.

Pandas are loners by nature and spend most of their lives in solitude. They also do not form any bonds with their mates.

After mating, the female will raise the offspring without the male. The female will accompany her offspring until they can live independently.

Females have a high maternal instinct and invest only in those likely to survive, while males do not have a paternal instinct.

Sometimes a female can give birth to twins. The female will choose the stronger of the two and let the weaker ones die of starvation.

So, to sum up, pandas are not as ‘friendly’ as they seem.

Related: Are Wolverines Dangerous to Humans? (Things to Know)

Do These Pandas Like Humans?

Pandas don’t like humans because we are considered one of enemies, along with other bear predators in general.

Unfortunately, these animals don’t like us as much as we like them.

They are wild animals by nature, like any other member of the bear or wild animal family.

Therefore, it is not feasible to completely tame them.

For individuals in captivity, care professionals must still approach them with caution and take the necessary precautions to avoid risk.

Individuals in captivity may behave as if they are very fond of professionals taking care of them.

However, these experts believe that the behavior has more to do with the survival of these pandas.

In other words, these animals only displayed those intimate behaviors because they recognized that those experts were the people who fed them.

Generally, pandas do not display any friendliness or warmth with other individuals or animals.

Do Pandas Bite?

This animal rarely displays aggressive behavior, including biting.

Yet, in case of need, such as in self-defense, a panda will utilize its strong jaws to attack opponents.

These animals feature the digestive characteristics of carnivores. So, the panda’s bite causes serious injuries.

Therefore, do not be deceived by their friendly and cuddly appearance. The pandas will use their teeth and powerful bite to defend themselves if they sense you are a potential threat.

Can Pandas Kill You?

This adorable animal can kill any of us.

Its weight is more than twice that of an adult human. In addition, it possessed the necessary weapons powerful enough to take down any adult man.

The good news is that pandas do not consider humans a food source. Therefore, they will not attack you unless you threaten them or their children.

Are Pandas Naturally Aggressive?

A panda very rarely becomes aggressive unless it feels threatened.

Despite its cute appearance, a panda features solid jaws and teeth, like most bear family members.

These animals can fight and are ready to seriously damage the opponent, causing the opponent to be seriously injured or even killed.

This situation can also happen when males are competing for females or trying to establish dominance.

How Strong Are Pandas?

Along with polar bears, hippos, brown bears, tigers, and lions, the Giant Panda possesses the strongest bites of any land mammal.

The fangs and jaws of this adorable animal are strong enough to rip and crush bamboo stalks.

As a result, these animals can also cause significant injury to other living things, and humans are no exception.

They can generate a bite force of up to 2603 newtons, strong enough to break an adult man’s bone.

Can I Hug a Panda?

The answer is that you shouldn’t.

The panda still retains its wild nature. As a result, it will be hazardous if you get close to this animal.

However, a panda sanctuary in China allows you to get this unique experience. You will need to pay a fee to hold a baby panda for about a minute.

However, to prevent the spread of disease from humans to animals and vice versa, it seems that this unique program has been delayed.

Is The Panda Playful?

Yes, pandas are pretty playful animals. They prefer to roll and tumble, and they also like to slide.

What Is the Maximum Age of a Panda?

Scientists aren’t sure how long wild animals live, but they’re sure it’s shorter than those in captivity.

Scientists estimate that wild individuals live from 15 to 20 years, while the lifespan of captive individuals is about 30 years, even 35 years.

How Have Pandas Adapted to Consuming Bamboo?

These animals have strong jaws that allow them to crush bamboo up to 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter, while their molars and anterior teeth are suitable for crushing and cutting tough plant stems.

But that’s not all. The neck of pandas also has a special lining, protecting them from debris when swallowing bamboo.

Has the Panda Killed Anyone Yet?

Although there have been a few cases of this animal causing severe injury to people, there have been no recorded deaths.

When Do Pandas Give Birth?

Females will begin breeding when they are 6 to 7 years old and usually give birth every two years.

These animals usually mate in the spring, from March to May every year, and give birth five months later.

It is scarce for females in the wild to have twins, while this has happened with individuals in captivity.

What Is Being Done to Help Pandas?

Currently, many countries are interested in the conservation of this animal.

Scientists worldwide are studying the ecology and behavior of pandas to establish conservation programs in the hope of saving this lovely animal.

Conclusion

Pandas are lovable animals, and they are not aggressive 99% of the time during their lives. Yet, do not forget that they have wild instincts, which can cause unpredictable dangers.

Thus, like every other bear family member, pandas are physically superior to an adult humans. So the best approach is to see them from a distance.